* Jameis Winston, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Florida State, was back in the headlines last week. No, it had nothing to do with football matters or legal issues. The headline read: “Winston turns his focus to baseball.” He also pitches and plays the outfield at FSU.
Frankly, it would have been better had it read: “Winston turns his focus to academics.” Instead, he’ll devote more time to athletics and probably leave for the NFL–ala Johnny Manziel–after his red-shirt sophomore year next season.
* It’s no secret that the Bucs would like to make a big, signal-sending free agent score in the off-season. A pass-rushing end would be a coup. The best available–by far–is Jared Allen, recently of the Minnesota Vikings. The Bucs have a shot at the 6’6″, 270-pound sack specialist. Allen has tremendous respect for Leslie Frazier, the Bucs’ defensive coordinator who was Allen’s head coach at Minnesota. Allen also has some business connections here.
Word is he wants to finish his career–and improve his Hall of Fame chances–with a bona fide Super Bowl contender. Money, coach, scheme and city matter, but Allen, 31, really wants a ring at what is likely his last NFL stop.
If he signs with the Bucs, it will speak highly for the selling job done by new general manager Jason Licht, head coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Frazier. It will also mean that Allen likes the Bucs chances of turning this thing around in a hurry.
* So far this offseason, the New York Yankees have paid out $450 million for seven free agents. That’s an obscene figure and another blunt reminder–especially to Rays’ fans–of the unconscionably uneven playing field that is Major League Baseball.